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Ava left, though he figured he’d have to go after her and make sure she was getting ready in a minute. That thought was confirmed when he heard her laughing and Scooter barking.
“I can get her after school if you want,” said Hannah.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, wanting to enjoy a few moments with her before he got up. He dropped a kiss on her lips and looked into her eyes. “Do you think we need to talk about it?”
“Probably, but I’ll let you start.”
He chuckled. “Thanks. I think. First, I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of you.”
“I don’t. I offered. Yesterday and today …” She pursed her lips before she continued, “And I’m offering for as long as you need me. Who knows how long Mel will be gone? And I’m here.” She shrugged. “I have a bunch of work lined up, but nothing that I can’t juggle to fit in with Ava’s schedule. I don’t know if it’s the best thing for you and me. But I think it would do Ava good to know what’s going on. I mean, for her to know that the same person will be picking her up or meeting her or whatever she needs. She’s had a lot of upheaval in her life, and she looked kind of worried just now when she asked what she’s going to do after school. I’d hate for her to be anxious when it’s no trouble for me.”
Grady leaned his head back against the headboard and looked up at the ceiling. “You’re awesome. What did I do to deserve you?”
She rested her head against his chest. “I really don’t mind.”
“I know you don’t. And I appreciate it more than you know. Just promise me that it’s not too much pressure or too … I don’t know what. I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of you. I don’t want you to feel like you’re getting landed with my kid when you don’t even know if you want me yet.”
He stopped when she put her finger over his lips and looked up into his eyes. “I do know that. I want you. I don’t know what for yet,” she added with a smile. “But that’s something only time will tell. I want to see what time will have to say about you and me. And if … if this is going to go anywhere it’ll be about the three of us, not just the two of us. So, what do you say?”
“Uncle Grady? Can I take Scooter outside? I think he has to go potty!”
Grady got up and pulled his jeans and T-shirt on. “Hang on. I’ll be right there.” He bent down and gave Hannah a quick kiss. “I say yes, please, to you helping out with Ava. And I say an even bigger yes, please, to us giving this thing between us some time to see what it can turn into.” He held her gaze. “I have high hopes, Hannah.”
She smiled back at him. “Me too.”
He couldn’t help smiling as he hurried down the hallway to take Scooter outside. He already liked where things were going with Hannah. His caution was mostly on Ava’s behalf. He knew Hannah wouldn’t ever hurt her deliberately. But if Ava got attached to her and then they broke up … He didn’t want to bring someone into her life and then break her little heart. He was already feeling like his own heart would take a bruising if Hannah decided that he wasn’t for her.
~ ~ ~
Hannah frowned when her phone rang. She didn’t need it. She was just finishing up some edits on the shoot for the website and then she needed to head to the school to collect Ava. She’d gone in with them this morning so that she knew exactly where to wait. And Grady had taken her to the office so that she could be added as one of Ava’s people. She couldn’t remember the term the secretary had used. It was something official. But to Hannah it just meant that she was one of Ava’s people – and she wanted to be one.
She blew out a sigh and reached for her phone. She should at least check – it might be about Ava. She wrinkled her nose when she saw her brother’s name on the display. If he wanted to talk work, she’d put him off until later.
“Hey, Jacob. What’s up? I don’t have long.”
“No problem. I was just checking in. Do you have the graphics for the brochures yet?”
She laughed. “Are you telling me that you’re doing your own legwork?”
He laughed with her. “No. Susie’s on it. But the woman who runs the printshop got hold of my direct line somehow and she called me.”
“And now you’re running around doing her bidding? Are you sleeping with her?”
He laughed harder this time. “I am not. I’m doing the opposite. I’m trying to keep her off my back. I thought if I get straight back to her with exactly what she wants, she might leave me alone.”
“Hmm. Okay. I’ll send them over, but only if we hang up right now.”
“Why? What are you working on?”
“It’s not work. I need to run out.”
“Where to?”
“What’s this, twenty questions?”
“Sorry. I’m being nosey. I’m curious about you, and Grady, and his little girl.”
Hannah blew out a sigh. “Okay. I’m going to pick Ava up from school. The girl who usually watches her had to go out of town. Grady was in a bind, and I offered to help out.”
